Allometry of Mangrove Horseshoe Crab, Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Syuhaida, N.I*, Rozihan, M., Akbar John, B., Akmal, M.S, Joni, H.D and Esa, Y.B
 
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture
University Putra Malaysia,
43400 Serdang  Selangor, Malaysia.
syuhaidaisa@yahoo.com

Carcinoscorpious rotundicauda is the species usually inhabit in mangrove ecosystem. The values information on morphometric variability of C. rotundicauda is still limited especially along eastern coast in Peninsular Malaysia. In this study, the allometric relationship between male and female crabs were  compared through analysing morphological parameter of C. rotundicauda collected in two different location along east cost of Peninsular Malaysia [Setiu,Terengganu ( Lat 05.40386 N, Long 102.43.032'E) and Pantai Balok, Pahang (Lat 3º 56, 25 7' N, Long 103º 22.568' E)].Total length for male C. rotundicauda was 16.6-37.0cm and female was 26-39cm in Setiu, Terengganu while in Pantai Balok, Pahang, the averaged for total length in male was 22.5-31.5cm and female was 26.0-36.0cm. This study also showed values of all parameters in male and female populations of Setiu, Terengganu were recorded slightly similar as horseshoe crab collected from Pantai Balok, Pahang. The values for all morphometric parameter include total length, carapace length, prosoma width, interocular length and body weight were converted into logarithmic value as allometric growth were analysis. Both population showed positive allometry growth (b>1) between body weight on total length-body and prosoma width relationships in male and female of C. rotundicauda. Positive alllometry growth indicated that C. rotundicauda have increased in all size parameter. Therefore, all these relationship proved that wetland habitat in both populations is the most suitable for the growth and development of C. rotundicauda.